The Haskell Library and Opera House are on the US register of Historical Places.

The opera house opened on June 7 1904
and was built on the border between the United States and Canada. It was constructed of two foot thick gray granite walls by American sawmill owner,Carlos Haskell and his Canadian wife, Martha Stewart Haskell.

The Library book collection on the first floor and Opera stage on the second floor are located in Stanstead ,Canada.
The front door and second floor seats are in Derby line,Vt

A thick blue black line runs diagonially across the library reading room,and second floor opera seats marking an international boundry
between the two countries.

The library has a collection of over 20,000 books in French and English and is open to the public. Its staffed by Americans and Canadians.

The opera house on the second floor
seats about four hundred . It has three antique sets and a rare roll up curtain depicting scenes from Venice. The sets and curtain were painted by artist, Erwin Lamoss. The acousitics are perfect. Small cherubs grace ornate walls. Its beautiful!
Plays and musicials are presented in French and English during the year.

The Haskell family donated the building to the town of Derby Line Vt and RockIsland/ Stanstead Ca,in Mr Haskells memory.
Its run by an International board of Americans and Canadians.

We had the privliage to visit the Opera house/ library when we visited Vermont last fall. We were taken on a tour by a very knowledable lady and had a grand time.

I am recomending this as a place to visit if you are ever in the area.
Where else can one go and be in Canada and the US at the same time with out a passport!

Glad I finally read this! Also good that you put it in the poetry column where more will see it. I have heard of Derby Line, Vt. and I'm sure my sister has been there. I am going to ask her to ride up there with me this summer when I finally get up there if she has the time. Being a composer and musician I would love to see it and possibly even attend a performanc there. I'm printing this out to put in my suitcase (Hope you don't mind) To remind me....
Thank you so much MaryGrace and love and riches to YOU...michael